# NTSB LAX89DVD03: Stearns BD-4, N277MB, Leggett, CA, March 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1989, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Leggett, CA
- Location: 39.8635° N, 123.7252° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Leggett, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8635&lon=-123.7252&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26161/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVD03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, HIGH TERRAIN, AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TALL TREES AT THE TOP OF A CLIFF, NEXT TO THE PACIFIC SHORELINE. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1000 FT ABOVE THE SHORE. AFTER IMPACTING THE TREES, WRECKAGE WAS STREWN OVER ABOUT A 3000 YARD AREA OF RELATIVELY LEVEL TERRAIN. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT WAS FLYING OVER WATER & ANGLING TOWARD THE SHORELINE, JUST PRIOR TO INITIAL IMPACT. APRX 50 TO 60 MI NORTH AT UKIAH, THERE WAS A REPORTED CEILING AT 2000 FT WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE & FOG. WX AT THE ACDNT SITE WAS NOT VERIFIED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N277MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N277MB-1989-09-14), registration cancelled 1989-09-14, S/N 4469 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEARNS BD-4
- Registry model: [Stearns ER BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/stearns-er-bd-4) (registry code 11304F3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4-469
- Airframe hours: 106
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stearns, Eugene R.
- Registered owner: Stearns, Eugene R
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1988, 19 hours before
- Departed: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Destination: CVO, CORVALLIS, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 596 total, 106 in this make and model, 396 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UKI, 52 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890308004599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890308004599A), Mar 8, 1989: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Leggett, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees while trying to see terrain in low ceiling and fog. Had been following coast over water.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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